BAYANIHAN CULTURAL AND HOUSING SOCIETY

The Bayanihan Community Centre continues programs for education support services for youth seniors new immigrants caregivers and skilled workers cultural heritage and arts programs pursuit of creative interests and recreational activities for the general public. There are now an estimated 8 000 residents of Greater Victoria of Filipino ancestry who can benefit culturally from the Centre’s programs. The centre continues to hire a part time staff to oversee safe use of the centre through the help of the Victoria Foundation grant. Renters have come back – small church services small restaurateurs martial arts and Latin dancers. The seniors meet once a month to socialize. Many international students with their families gather to hold informational sessions and socialize. Our own groups have likewise resumed folk dance and choral classes so much so that we were able to sponsor a two day Mabuhay celebration of Philippine culture on June 8 and 9 2024 to coincide with June as Heritage month across Canada at Centennial Square. The event was a success with over 3 000 attending to enjoy the food entertainment and over 50 booths. We were able to stage a Christmas choral concert 'Paghimugso' in the studio. We continue our focus on Cultural Art programs that provide insights into complexities of Filipino-Canadian identities Philippine history customs and traditions. Plays music and dance written and created by Filipino artists are planned on a long term basis for the benefit of the community. We officially launched the Bayanihan Creative Collective in June this year to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Bayanihan Community Centre. The Philippine Consulate was also able to hold a two-day consular outreach to renew passports and provide service to temporary workers. A summer youth camp which included history crafts and heritage classes was safely held and was well attended. Hybrid – zoom and personal attendance – meetings continue to be conducted. This allows for improved accessibility for those not able to attend because of transport and time issues. We estimate that a total of 200 volunteers helped with the programs giving an average of 20 hours each throughout the year.

We completed the project entitled 'A Home Away - Open Access' wherein small groups that suffered setbacks during the Covid were invited to use our facilities to jump start their activities. This program was funded through United Way by the federal government Community Services Recovery Fund. The Open Access program undertaken this year accommodated 20 groups whose membership has a reach of 5 000 people. Funding from the United Way received this year helps our seniors to expand their monthly meetings into biweekly meetings where facilitators teach zumba folk dances and exercises. This funding extends to the following year. Canada Summer Youth Employment helped us hire a university student for the summer to do administrative work and help with the Youth Camp. Funding from the Victoria Foundation has enabled us to lead a collaboration with Japanese and Chinese groups in an advocacy for ASEAN countries. The project is ASIA in Victoria. The project started December 1 2024. Social media is active and livestreaming of activities generate interest among Facebook followers. International students who were introduced to the Open Access Program are regularly participating in the centre activities and they have proved to be a good source of talents with some of them assuming leadership in the board. The City of Victoria purchased early in 2024 adjoining properties to our community centre with a view of creating a green space. This plan has affected us significantly because the likelihood of relocating is high because ours is the only parcel left in the block. We are holding talks with the city and our Building Committee is actively exploring options for relocating.